Post your views and questions about the Akai MPC2500
By Namkrow Thu May 07, 2009 1:06 am
Whats good everyone, I am currently using the mpc 1000 and I've been looking into getting a 2500. This is my question, Are 2500's built better than 1000's as far as do the pads die as much or do things short out in them? I had my 1000 short out on me about a year ago and lately I've been seeing more and more cats saying that their pads on their 1000's are dying. I have been fortunate enough though so far that nothing has happened to my pads (Knock On Wood :| ) but this is starting to make me wonder. So anyone who has had a 1000 and switched to a 2500 I would love to hear what you have to say and anyone else with some advice on this. Thanks
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By djchucknorris Thu May 07, 2009 3:37 am
I've never owned a 1000. But I have used them several times. The build is much more solid on the 2500 than the 1000, except for the jog wheel. Take it easy on that if you want it to last. The grid edit is enough reason alone to upgrade. Not to mention the separate dedicated note repeat button, more Q-link knobs & sliders, full sized pads, adjustable screen, etc...
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By Menco Thu May 07, 2009 7:39 am
If money isn't really an issue then a 2500 is a nice upgrade.
I still have my 1000, and I still like to work with it when I'm not home.
They reason why I bought a 2500 is because my curser, main and mode buttons were dying. I always said to myself if the 1000 needs to be replaced I'm going for a brand new 2500.(warranty!! a must for me when I buy an Akai product)
The buttons feel much stronger. The jogwheel may not last as long as the one on the 1000, still it feels more solid to me. (jogwheel on my 1k got issues too). I love the extra outs and the tilt screen. And they numberic keys of course. Everything is bigger, more space to put your hands on. Feels more comfortable to me. No cramped feeling in the neck or backside shoulders.

Just to put it like this: a mpc 2500 feels like a desktop where a mpc 1000 feels more like a laptop.
By markmorgan10 Thu May 07, 2009 2:47 pm
"Just to put it like this: a mpc 2500 feels like a desktop where a mpc 1000 feels more like a laptop."

Well said, I started with an mpc 1000 (blue one) and added a pad upgrade (didn't notice that much difference).

Decided to give the portable thing a try - much as I liked the mpc 1000 I do not consider it portable, so sold it on eBay and got a mpc 500 instead. V portable but I thought I lost too much functionality...

So I found a 2500 for a bargain and am extremely happy with it. At the moment its still on the AKAI OS (Im not certain that JJOS offers direct record) and Im working my way though that. Also for my workflow, i.e. overlapping beats, bassline via a midi keyboard and vocals on the top, maybe some additional piano - its pretty much perfect. Im really pleased with it.

Am currently learning the time stretching/pitch shifting skills at the moment. I can do these things and want to incorporate them in the stuff I do soon.

So for what its worth, here's what I think

1) If you can afford it, its certainly worthwhile upgrading from a 1000 to a 2500. For me - the whole feel is different with a 2500, not just the physical feel of the unit but the whole approach to things. As said in other posts, you certainly get a feeling of more 'space'.
2) Its obvious that the more practice you get - the better you get at it. We'd all like a 5000 to fall into our lap for free. Doesn't mean to say we would know how to use the thing to its potential straight away...so judge the machine on what it does for you, not how many stars out of 5 everyone keeps giving it on the internet. Do try and get some hands on with a 2500. These boxes are not cheap.
3) I'd say that the 2500 feels more solid than the 1000. Regarding the jog wheel I'd say that yes, you want to be careful in how you use it. I'd go for using the pads to input data where possible.
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By djchucknorris Thu May 07, 2009 3:57 pm
I've had my 25k for over 3 years. Never had a single problem with pads, beyond cleaning the pad sensors once within the first 3 months of ownership (bought a floor model). The pads just keep getting softer and nicer feeling over time.
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By sonseelye Thu May 07, 2009 4:27 pm
namkrow,how much are you selling the 1000 for?
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By sonseelye Thu May 07, 2009 5:48 pm
whoa :shock:
Namkrow wrote:all of my buttons on my 1000 are starting to die,.
and u still want 8 hundred for it..

i paid 799 for my 2500 and it was mint..